Youth Art Enrichment Teaching Instructor

Overview
Hope for Flowers is seeking a passionate and skilled Youth Art Enrichment Instructor to lead creative, engaging, and mission-aligned classes for children ages 7–12. Our program uses the arts to inspire creativity, confidence, cultural awareness, and sustainability. We integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our lessons, helping students understand global ideas through age-appropriate activities and discussions.

The Teaching Instructor will lead weekly art classes, introduce students to a “Spotlight Artist” each session, and create hands-on projects inspired by both contemporary and historical artists.

Responsibilities

Time Requirement

• Be on-site for all aspects of class delivery, including set-up, instruction, and clean-up.
• Commit to teaching all scheduled classes: 32 Saturdays per year, with two classes each Saturday (10:00–11:30 AM and 12:00–1:30 PM).
• Participate in on-site curriculum planning meetings with the Program Director and Tracy Reese.
• Complete required off-site preparation, including curriculum development, Spotlight Artist research, and creation of project exemplars.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Plan and teach weekly visual art lessons that are creative, age-appropriate, and aligned with Hope for Flowers’ mission.
• Integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into lessons in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and engaging for children.
• Select and research a Spotlight Artist for each class, introducing students to diverse artists whose work connects to the week’s project.
• Design demonstrations and guide students through hands-on activities using a range of art materials.
• Incorporate creative reuse and sustainable materials whenever possible.

Classroom Culture

• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and joyful learning environment.
• Use positive youth development and relationship-centered classroom management strategies.
• Provide individualized encouragement and support to students of various skill levels.
• Ensure safety in all activities, including proper use of tools and materials.

Program Participation & Collaboration

• Submit lesson plans, supply lists, and Spotlight Artist references in advance.
• Communicate with the Program Director about student needs, progress, and classroom updates.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and special events as required.
• Help prepare student artwork for exhibitions or community presentations.
• Assist the Program Director in maintaining attendance, photos (when appropriate), and documentation for grant reporting.

Professional Conduct

• Represent Hope for Flowers with professionalism, creativity, and integrity.
• Uphold organizational commitments to equity, sustainability, and cultural celebration.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and responsiveness

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Art Education, Design, or equivalent artistic/professional experience.
• Prior teaching experience with youth in schools, arts centers, camps, or community programs.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skill and ability to teach foundational techniques.
• Ability to design engaging project-based lessons with clear learning outcomes.
• Strong communication and classroom management skills.
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and interest in integrating them into artmaking.
• Familiarity with Detroit’s arts community and youth arts organizations.
• Experience with creative reuse, sustainability, or environmental arts.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to lift, move, and transport art supplies.

Compensation

Competitive hourly or per-session rate based on experience.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Portfolio (PDF or link)
• Brief statement describing your teaching philosophy and interest in SDG-aligned, sustainability-focused youth art education

Send materials to: [email protected] Subject line: Youth Art Enrichment Instructor Application

About Hope For Flowers:

Hope for Flowers is designed for women who are inspired by beauty and also desire to use their power as consumers to be agents for positive change in the world. At Hope for Flowers, we believe that by incorporating positive, social and ecological practices into our sourcing and operating structures, we can imbue our products with greater substance and offer our customers an opportunity to be a part of doing good while looking good.

About the Artisan Studio:

Hope for Flowers' Artisan Studio’s Art Enrichment Programming launched in Fall 2021, providing free, reliable, community-rooted arts education that centers creative expression and sustainable life skills. In our classroom, Detroit’s artists and creatives collaborate with our staff in designing youth classes, adult classes, and sustainability workshops. From fiber arts and clay to collage, watercolor, machine sewing, screen printing and more, our classes invite each student to explore new skills and discover artistic freedom through creative expression.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Expected hours: 6.0 – 8.0 per week

Work Location: In person